MK809III RK3188 Rom Backup?

[threehappypenguins]

I was going to follow this tutorial to flash a new, rooted ROM: http://blog.geekbuying.com/index.php...ore-tv-sticks/

However, in my experience when fiddling around with Android phones, it's always a good idea to backup the stock ROM. I have searched and searched, and I can't find anything on how to back it up, or where a stock ROM file can be downloaded for future use.

I am a complete noob, so please help! This is a bit strange for me, since it's "almost" like working with Odin. There is no screen on the MK3188 like a phone has, so everything has to be done through a program on the computer. Is this correct? Maybe I'm missing something here...

[bluesmanuk]

Have a look at these threads

http://www.freaktab.com/showthread.php?10129-Backing-up-your-RK-device-(ROM)-with-the-new-RK-2-1-tool

http://www.freaktab.com/showthread.php?12404-RockchipDumpSplit-Simplifies-the-creation-of-backups-from-rockchip-devices

If however, you can find a stock ROM to download then you will already be covered.

[threehappypenguins]

Another dumb question. I figured I would be safe if I just simply rooted it for now (not flashing a different rom). Then I can install nandroid and use that to back it up.

I'm trying to follow these instructions: http://www.cnx-software.com/2013/03/...3188-mini-pcs/

However, they're not really clear. So I guessed that I needed to have it plugged into my TV so that I can boot it up and see the screen. I brought my laptop to beside the TV. So I have one plug in the DC outlet so it can turn on. I have another mini usb coming out of the one on the side, and ready to plug into my computer. I turned on USB Debugging, and then, while the TV stick is still in the operating system, I plug in the USB into my computer (from the one coming out of the side of the TV stick).

But nothing happens. So I figure I need to push the paperclip into the little hole on the side, hold it in, and then plug in the USB into my computer. Still, nothing happens. I already have all the drivers installed from the previous instructions and RKAndroidTool.exe connected with it (but I didn't do anything after that point for fear of doing it without the stock rom as a backup). So it seems like it will only connect when the TV stick is shut down and not in the operating system?

What am I doing wrong?

[bluesmanuk]

There is also a more specific forum for your device with ROM's etc

http://www.freaktab.com/forumdisplay.php?138-MK-Models-MK802IV-MK809III-etc

[threehappypenguins]

Ok, but for now, how can I simply root it? The instructions to backup the ROM seem really complicated. When I'm looking for a rooting method, should I be searching for MK809III SK3188? Or should I be searching for rk31sdk 4.2.2 (kernel is 3.0.36+)?

I don't understand if I'm supposed to have the TV stick on or off (it's confusing when they're talking about a "reboot"). All the instructions I find are vague and assume people already know what they're doing.

[threehappypenguins]

Alright, I'll post on the more specific forum.

[threehappypenguins]

I did it! At least I hope so...

First, download this file: http://www.freak-tab.de/finless/rk_tool21_how_to.zip

Then, unzip it and follow these instructions for backing up your BASIC stock ROM (no user files, no saving apps, etc:

Instructions for dumping....




Before we begin let’s get familiar with the tool.
In the download run the ROM_Dumper_Tool.exe.
When it opens you will notice 3 tabs at the top.
Download image - this is for flashing ROMs
Upgrade Firmware - this is for lashing single .img ROMs. I won’t be going into this area for as we don’t use it for dumping.
Advanced Function - This is for dumping and doing some cool stuff! We will be in here all the time for this procedure.




Note: Anytime we dump a partition the tool always makes a file called ExportImage.img in a folder called Ouptut.
So every time we dump a different partition it will overwrite that file unless we rename them first!
Don't forget that please.




OK first lets dump the basic flashable ROM:


To do ANY dumping we need to dump the parameter file of the ROM from NAND.
Why? because we need the start (offset) and count (size) of the partition or we can’t dump anything.
1) Click the advance functions tab.
2) At the bottom is the "export image" button and to empty boxes, Start and Count.
3) To get the parameter file put a 0 in the start box and a 2 in the count.
4) Now press the export image button.
5) Now we need to make this a real parameter file! Rename the file to parameter.txt
6) We need to clean it up a bit. Open in Windows note pad ONLY!!! Do not open in MS word or anything else or it won’t work!
Also you may need to turn on word wrap to see everything (format menu, select word wrap checked).
7) The first line you will see something like this:
PARMi FIRMWARE_VER:4.1.1
Delete all the junk in front of the word FIRMWARE so it looks like this now:
FIRMWARE_VER:4.1.1
8) clean up ending junk. At the end you will see this word:
(user)
After it will be some junk. Delete everything after (user) including any blank space.
When done make sure to hit enter once so there is a new line after (user)
9) Save the cleaned up parameter file but leave it open as we need it to continue.




Now let’s start dumping!
We will do system.img to start with as an example.
1) Look at the parameter file and find (system) and the numbers before it. Example:
0x00180000@0x00484000(system)
REMEMBER the number before @ is the COUNT and the number after the @ is the START!
2) Copy the number after the @ example: 0x00484000 into the start box of the advanced tab in the tool.
3) Copy the number before the @ example: 0x00180000 into the count box of the advanced tab in the tool.
4) Press the export image button and wait for it to complete.
5) Go into the Output folder and rename the file ExportImage.ing to system.img




Now we just repeat the steps 1-5 above for
misc.img
kernel.img
boot.img
recovery.img
backup.img (This can be optional but do it anyway especially if this is a first REAL stock ROM dump as we may need it).




Remember to always use the numbers in front of each name! Don't forget to change those or you won’t have a good dump.
Also remember after each dump, to rename ExportImage.img to the proper name of the image you dumped!
Each time you press Export Image, it will overwrite the existing ExportImage file unless you rename it!




When you’re done you should have the basic ROM dump.
misc.img, kernel.img, boot.img, recovery.img, system.img, and backup.img.




You can now use the flash tool 2.1 or the flash tool 1.37 to flash these.

[mongkok]

I also happened to ordered an MK809III and since I am not sure which Stock ROM it uses, I am thinking of doing my own backup.

Reading the instructions, it appears that it is backing up the partitions. Is that correct? If so, can I use fdisk and dd to do the same? I have backed up bootable SD cards using the same method before.